Friday, February 21, 2014

Travelers going to work along the
highway invariably see images of beautiful models in advertisements and start
discussing about them. This gives rise to a debate as to whether photo
retouching is a healthy practice for the common man to follow. When resorting
to photo retouching, it should be done within the limits of social
responsibilities.

It
is a commonplace occurrence for people to view sprawling advertisements lining
the highway, while they go to work. A model displayed with her ivory skin and
clear face, in the advertisement becomes the talking point for young and old
alike. In hindsight, one can think that these are not original photos but
manipulated versions touched and retouched using sophisticated software. It is
said, “It is all in the looks” and therefore advertisements are touched and
retouched to look beautiful and life like. Thus, a white skin turns rosy while
a slim body turns size zero in our quest for that perfect look.

Retouching
models is commonplace in the field of photography. All super models and popular
showgirls are being touched up for professional reasons. Since this software
comes free of cost, we use it to create a near perfect smile or an attractive
pout. However, a point of debate doing the rounds of modeling circles is whether
sophisticated software should be used to make a model look more attractive and
eye-catching. Superficially, the answer to this question comes in the
affirmative, but on deep thought, one concludes that its rampant use for
manipulating models can encourage complexes in the young minds of today.

Retouching models to lighten their skin tones, models give out the message that it is not
fashionable to look dark. A conservative society is already holding a lot of
prejudices and such things make matters worse. Looking at manipulated models of
size zero models, young girls also want to ape them, caring little for their
own health and well being. Some even go on unhealthy crash diets to obtain this
size zero figures. Therefore, models have to weigh the disadvantages before
they resort to enhancement of their models using photo retouching. Although,
fashion dictates many things, models should be aware of the detrimental effects
of their actions.

The
retouching should only be resorted to if a model has to get a portfolio made or
if there is some kind of competition. Models should refrain from conveying
wrong notions to the outside world, by their constant use of photo retouching.
Models should use this technique only after ensuring that they are not
promoting unhealthy practices for the world to follow. Looking at their
actions, normal citizens also start thinking that the skin and body should be flawless
and therefore they go to unimaginable extents in aping the models in getting
their skin and body clean.

Thus
retouching should be resorted to only if there is a make or break situation in
front of the model. Moreover, models should get their images retouched for good
rather than for enhancing their beauty by artificial means. If they do it for
hiding burn marks or covering pimples, then it is considered acceptable, but if
they do it to cover their dark skin, then they are propagating the idea that being
dark is not fashionable, to the world, which is a strict no-no. Therefore,
retouching should only be done to within the extent of maintaining social
responsibilities.